Title: Tomorrow 15?
Author: Madsdog
Rating: Errr- probably up to R
SPOILERS: UP UNTIL THE END OF 'TWO TO GO'
Distribution: NHA, AEFM, ODD, Leslie's
Disclaimer: If I just owned Willow's body, Dawn's hair and Giles' voice to sing me to sleep... okay... none of it's mine- those bits belong to the actors and the rest is Joss' and Marti's (Tara-killers) and Love Letter #1 belongs to Red

Notes: Okay, I'm incredibly sorry for the delay of about... ooo, six months, but here it is, Tomorrow Chapter 15, just about the longest one yet. Thanks to those of you still sending feedback- it's really helped with the writing of this and the next few parts- I've got about three scenes left to write and then I've finished, as the end was the very first thing I wrote for this. Also, I have no idea if you can get 'Only Fools and Horses' in America (although I'm guessing not) but that's what the sit-com reference is to in this- it's not important, just vaguely interesting.
Finally, this is unbetaed by anyone but my sister, as I've had trouble getting in touch with my beta. If you're out there, if you could mail me it'd be great.

"Run and catch, run and catch." Buffy walked through the cemetery, trying to find the source of the voice.

"The lamb is caught," Stepping around the crypt she almost fell into an open grave.

"Behind Du Lac." Looking down into the hole, the slayer saw a dark haired girl with a shovel; she was about seven or eight, but digging like crazy. She looked up and smiled.

"Hiya Buffy."

"Er- hey."

"Mummy said you'd be around tonight, said there were forces rising. But I already knew."

"Sally, what are you doing?" Startled, Buffy span round to face the owner of the new voice.

"Giles?"

"I'm burying the evidence Daddy- just like you always taught me."

"That's a good girl- but it's time for bed. The sun's going to come up soon."

"Okay, help me up, I want to see Mummy before I go to sleep." Giles kneeled beside the pit and reached down to pull Sally up. Then, father and daughter took off across the cemetery singing together.

"Lavenders blue, dilly dilly,
Lavenders green.
If we should reach you,
You'll never be seen." Buffy watched them for a minute before turning back to the grave. With a startled cry, she jumped back from the face an inch from her own.

"You know what she is." Faith said. "You know what to do."

***

Yawning, Buffy walked into the kitchen. Dawn was 'cooking' while Willow sat on one of the high stools.

"Ooo, juice!" Her day looking better already, the slayer took the glass from the counter and downed it in one.

"Morning Buffy. Sleep well?"

"Willow slept well," Dawn revealed, "she had a dream about Giles."

"Dawnie, I told you I don't remember what I dreamt."

"Me too." Buffy frowned, trying to remember something.

"You too what?"

"I dreamt about Giles. I think. And your daughter."

"My daughter?"

"Yeah, it was weird- y'know what dreams are like."

"So it was a normal dream, not a slayer-y dream." She smiled at Willow's worried face.

"Yeah. Everything completely normal."

***

That evening Buffy sat watching television. Dawn had 'borrowed' Willow's laptop while she slept and was playing cards on it in the dining room. Tired of cartoons, she changed the channel. News. And again. More news. She flicked again and this time sat up straight.

"Hello Buffy."

"Hi Sally."

"Mummy said you'd come round today. She and Daddy are in the kitchen." The camera moved through the sitting room until it reached Giles, unabashedly kissing Willow, who was sat on the kitchen counter. Dawn walked in from the garden, rolling her eyes.

"You two are like rabbits on viagra, honestly. I don't know how you only have three kids."

"It's called family planning Dawnie." Willow hopped down from the counter and walked over to stir the contents of the pan on the stove. Giles followed her, wrapping his arms around her from the back and nuzzling her neck.

"Who're you cooking today?"

"Graham. That okay?" The man broke away from his wife and turned to his daughter.

"Sounds perfect, doesn't it honey? It's like that song we were practicing." In harmony, Sally began to chant along with her father.

"Ten soldiers, all in a line.
A shot rings out, bang, down to nine." The pair laughed and Dawn and Willow clapped. Buffy was startled out of her bewilderment by a voice beside her.

"Ri and I would never put off the job if civilians were at risk."

"Sam?"

"You don't still think she's human do you?"

"I don't- what are you trying to-"

"Tut tut, naughty slayer." Dawn took the remote control from her sister's fingers and sat down beside her.

"Huh?"

"This obsession you have with British sitcoms really has to stop." Buffy looked at Dawn a moment, then over to the TV where two grown men were sat in a three-wheeled van that looked three sizes too small for them.

"I wasn't watching-"

"Of course not." The younger Summers took a handful of popcorn from the bowl on the elder's lap. "Your secret's safe with me." There was a noise by the door and Buffy looked up. Sam grinned back at her as Willow entered the room.

"Are you two filling yourselves with sugar again? I'll go make supper. Do you want lamb or beef?" The redhead walked through to the kitchen, seemingly oblivious to Sam's form behind her. Buffy followed the pair and watched as Willow got out a pan and knelt down to open the freezer, taking out the meat and looking at her, questioningly. "Well?" The slayer looked from the red packages to the pan- the same on as she'd been using on the television a minute ago and for the first time in about six years, felt very, very ill.

***

"That is so cool- so the slayer's seeing people that aren't there?"

"Uh-huh. And no one else can, so she thinks she's going crazy, all her friends think she's going crazy, and-"

"Will you two dorks shut up?" Jonathan looked over to Warren and made a face at the back of his head. Andrew swatted him on the arm.

"Ow!"

"Shh, he's thinking." The giant plant demon that Warren had acquired two weeks ago was called, for some reason, a Soporific and it had soon been discovered that it was in the juvenile stage of its life- meaning it wouldn't normally produce successful offspring, but if, Jonathan had found out rather painfully, it was put in vinegar, it reproduced faster than a colony of rabbits and was only stopped by salt. The boy's potato waffles had been unfortunate victims in the accidental discovery.

Now Warren was, rather sadistically, experimenting with the mixture. At first he'd just tried things out- how did the plant react to salty-vinegar, to other acids, heat and light, but for the past three days he'd been inserting mixtures into other plants, insects. Today it was eggs.

"Look at this guys." Jonathan and Andrew walked over to the excited boy. "If you take one part plant, one part vinegar and four parts salt, inject them individually into the egg, then… voila." They peered at the egg, waiting for… something.

"Er- Nothing's happening."

"Exactly! But-" he broke the shell. Inside was a perfectly egg-shaped plant.

"It- it just grew inside?"

"Exactly- think what we could do with this. Andrew, I need you to get me an animal."

"An animal?"

"Yeah- a pregnant one."

"What!" Jonathan shouted. "Oh no, there is no way that you can…"

"Why not?"

"Because you just can't. It's wrong, it's mean- and it's just sick." Warren sighed.

"I guess. Okay Andrew, cancel the animal." Jonathan shuddered. He sometimes wondered about Warren's sanity. To even think about randomly testing to see whether he could kill a baby without harming the mother carrying it was… What the hell was he thinking?

***

"Food's on the table!" Willow called up the stairs before walking back into the kitchen to collect serving spoons.

"It's been a while, but my timing's still perfect." She looked up at the back door then ran over.

"Xander! Where've you been! It's been a week!" She jumped back from the hug she'd caught him in. "And I'm not supposed to be talking to you." He smiled, weakly.

"I've missed you too Will. I'm an idiot."

"Yeah you are- stood there like you shouldn't be allowed in and letting all the cold air in. Get in, sit at the table and shut that door."

"Yes Ma'am." He went through to the dining room, where he was eagerly met by Dawn and Willow followed him, collecting an extra plate and set of cutlery on the way.

"Where's Buffy?"

"She's on her way, I thought she was just behind me." The younger Summers went to the bottom of the stairs. "Buff? You coming?"

"On my way." A few minutes later the slayer appeared and took her place at the table.

"This looks good Wills." Xander said.

"It's chilli-con-carne. Hope you enjoy."

"Where've you been staying Xander?" Dawn asked.

"That dive Faith used to live in."

"Faith-" A strange look covered the slayer's face.

"Something wrong Buffy?"

"No, nothing. Why are you there?"

"It's cheap and... away. I didn't think Anya would want to see-"

"She doesn't." Willow said. "She's staying with Hallie and D'Hoffryn for a while. She thinks of the apartment as being 'yours' too much, and... are you guys okay?" She looked around at the horrified looks on her friends' faces- they almost looked in pain.

"Have you-" Dawn choked out, then started again, "Have you tried this yet?" She pointed at her plate.

"Yeah, it's better than I thought it'd be. You all look-" Xander had tears running down his cheeks, Buffy was red, and Dawn jumped out of her seat gasping.

"Water."

"No Dawn, drink milk, it takes the burn away. In fact, bring the whole carton through." Buffy ran and got glasses out of the cupboard and the three drank a litre of milk in a matter of seconds.

"What's going on guys?"

"How many chillies did you put in this Will?"

"Only a couple, but they were mild, so I added some powder and other spices too. It's not that spicy."

"Believe me, it is, it's taking the top of your mouth off, flames coming out of your ears spicy."

"Oh god! I'm sorry- I didn't... seriously, I can't taste it. Are you... okay, I can see from your faces you're sure."

"From now on," Buffy said, "Dawn's cooking."

"It was that bad?"

"Hey!"

***

"I swear computers used to be so much easier to deal with."

"You having problems Will?" Buffy asked.

"Not so much problems as... delays. It knows I'm waiting for it- so it gets slower."

"Ah, the almighty Willow finally succumbs to the fate of all other computer users." The red head stuck out her tongue.

"If- if I can do this, there's a chance I could get a job- working from home."

"Will that's great. What is it?"

"Computer design- websites, animation, advertisements. I wrote to this company, Saunder's, and they said they'd consider me if I sent them some of my work. It's not going to make me JP Morgan, but I'll have something to support myself with."

"What about college?"

"I can take some time off because I'm pregnant, but... I don't know about next year. Depending on this job I'll carry on as long as I can for now."

"Have you thought any more about contacting Giles?"

"I figured if I murdered Quentin and Eliza and ate their hearts, I could absorb their energy, get enough info from them to take over The Council and then I'd be able to talk to him whenever I wanted."

"What!"

"I said; I've almost given up trying, what with Quentin and Eliza. If there was some way to get info on him bypassing The Council I'd talk to him in a heartbeat."

"Right." Buffy shook her head confused.

"Are you okay Buff? That's the third time I've had to repeat something like that over the past couple of days."

"I'm... fine. I just- there's something I've got to do. I'll be back." With barely a second glance the slayer grabbed her coat and left the house, the door slamming shut behind her. Shrugging her shoulders at her friend's strange behaviour, Willow turned back to the screen.

***

'Saugnapf.
Often called a succubus, this demon can take human form at will, often that of a small girl. The larvae are parasitic in nature and regularly take a pregnant woman as their host, killing the foetus and taking its nourishment from the mother's body. At the age of about three years, the demon becomes fully-grown and begins to feed on the life force of people, often manipulating one or both of its parents into aiding it.

Saugnapf can also inhabit other animals, and an interesting case of this...'

Buffy slammed the book closed and turned to another, a useful volume entitled simply; 'Daemons and Howe To Kill Them.' It was almost an index of all known demons and a list of their weaknesses. As she was about to open it though, a voice stopped her.

"Do you really want to do that?" Buffy's head shot up and her eyes narrowed at the man sat opposite her.

"Ethan."

"I'm just saying- even if it's a demon it's her child, and Ripper isn't going to be too pleased."

"Are you saying I should just leave it- let it destroy my friends and kill innocent people?"

"I said nothing of the sort: I was just stating a truth universally accepted."

"Why should I listen to you anyway? Get out of here."

"Maybe you should listen to him Buffy." The image of Ethan faded, to be replaced by that of Jenny Calendar. "I mean- look at her." The teacher held out her hand and beside her two boys appeared, the elder, aged about six or seven taking the proffered hand and tugging on it to draw her attention.

"She won't come out. She's scared."

"Do you see what you're doing Buffy? You're tearing their family apart. She thinks you're going to hurt her and you're supposed to be her friend."

"She can come out. I won't do anything to her, I promise." As she made the vow, the second boy held out his hand and Sally walked out from behind The Magic Box counter.

"You can't break your promise Buffy."

"I won't Sally."

"Good. Jack?" The younger boy broke away from the others and walked up to Buffy. He signalled for her to bend down and whispered in her ear.

"Can't say a word." She jerked back and looked at his face, frowning.

"What?"

"Can I have a hug?" She paused a moment and his face fell, tears appearing in the corners of his eyes before she opened up her arms and he stepped into them. Relaxing, Buffy put her arms around him. They stayed like that for a minute before Buffy felt the boy's arms begin to tighten around her neck.

"Okay Jack, you can let go now." He paid her no heed though and his shoulder began to dig into her throat, causing her to gasp, she brought up her arms to try and break the boy's hold to no avail.

Buffy looked over at the other three. Jenny shrugged, Sally began humming to herself, and the other boy just watched for a moment before running forward and knocking Jack so as she fell onto her back with the two boys on top of her. The elder put both hands over her mouth and looked into her eyes.

"I'm sorry Buffy- but Sally's number one." She lay there, flailing with the boys on top of her as Sally stepped up and rested the knife that had appeared in her hand on her chest. Slowly the children began chanting.

"Can't even shout,
"Can't even cry,
"The Rosenbergs are coming by."

"Slayer?" Buffy opened her eyes, not realising they'd been closed, and looked up to see Anya's vengeance demon friend. The children and Jenny had disappeared and The Magic Box appeared to be as normal. "Are you having some kind of fit?"

Eyes darting about her, Buffy stood, grabbing the two books from the table, she darted to the top of the shop before looking around once more and then running through the door to outside, the voices of the children even she could no longer see seemingly following her.

"Manipulating free will
"Meddling with your minds
"Leaving you helpless
"And leaving them blind
"Can't call to Mom
"Can't say a word,
"You're gonna die screaming but you won't be heard."

***

Well, here's a new pregnancy perk, I seem to be unable to taste almost anything- I didn't even really notice it until I made this killer chilli for Buffy, Dawn and Xander. I couldn't taste it, so I kept adding spices and then, when I served it, the three of them went mad- you should have seen them, poor Dawnie was red, and then I did it to her again the next morning- this time with coffee, I made it so strong she spat it straight back out- it actually serves her right for insisting on drinking the stuff so much at age fifteen anyway. On the plus side though- it's got her offering to cook meals.

I'm growing really fast now and I'm still not quite used to it- it's really hard work just sitting and standing, and I'm always home long before dusk 'cause if anything finds me I have no chance of running.

I spoke to my parents the other day- they've offered to help support us and I couldn't really say no, I can't stay with Buffy forever, although she'd never actually turf me out. Maybe I'll get a place with Anya when she comes back.

I got the web design job, working from home, and I can do it right up to term- in bed if necessary.

Maybe I should have stopped completely, but I'm glad I carried on with the tiny amount of magic I did, Anya doesn't think it will hurt the baby, and active pain relief is always welcome.

I think something's wrong with Buffy, I don't know what though. She keeps looking at me strangely and asking me to repeat things- maybe it's just premature old age and she's going deaf.

I have to go. Dawn's back from school and I need to check she's doing the work she's supposed to.

Write to you soon,

Willow.

***

Buffy looked around Dawn's bedroom, trying to work out what was wrong. Frowning she walked over to the window. A field stretched out below her and in the middle two dark haired shadows seemed to be dancing. Turning her back on the view she realised why the room seemed off. The bed, such a prominent feature, had been replaced by a small white crib. When she stepped closer to it, she noticed small plump legs kicking at the sheets, right before the baby began to cry.

"You should pick him up." The girl beside her said, drawing her attention.

"I know you."

"Everyone knows me. He needs you." Buffy looked down and then reached to pick up the boy. As soon as she did so the scene shifted.

The three stood in the corridor outside the computer classroom at the old Sunnydale High School, pre-mayor. The figures Buffy had seen from Dawn's window were in front of her: Kendra and Faith, shadow boxing, but almost dancing.

"He's nearly here." The blonde woman beside Buffy smiled at the baby in the slayer's arms and then stroked his head.

"Who are you?"

"I'm the mediator. The voice of those who can't speak for themselves"

"I'm dreaming aren't I? Like last time. When you told me... I don't remember."

"Be back before Dawn."

"I don't remember."

"You were back- you didn't need to."

"Do you have a name?"

"Sometimes." The girls watched the slayers fighting for a moment more, but Buffy frowned, she couldn't tell why, but it just didn't seem right.

"They don't belong here, do they?" Instantly, Kendra and Faith stopped and the scenery changed to that of the old library, perfect and intact. The only difference was the absence of the study table. In its place on the floor was a large symbol in a blood-red circle.

"You have to see past the faces." When she looked back up Faith had been replaced by Sally, she looked at Buffy before saying.

"Acting is not about behaving, it's about hiding. The audience wants to find you, strip you naked and eat you alive. So hide." She began the shadow boxing Faith had been participating in as the baby in Buffy's arms began to grow until he was a boy of about the same age as Sally and she put him on the floor before her.

"You've gotta focus. You must have some kind of explanation. If we don't know what we're fighting, I don't think we stand a chance." He stepped back into the circle and took up Kendra's place opposite Sally, gliding seamlessly into the fighting dance.

"I don't understand."

"No one ever does until after. But sometimes- there isn't an after." The blonde nodded toward the circle and Buffy saw Sally and the boy had somehow combined into one person, both faces visible almost translucent over the other, and they were spread-eagled in the middle of the symbol painted on the floor, small screams coming from them both. Buffy began forward to be stopped at the circle's edge by an invisible barrier.

"I said no magic!" She shouted.

"Sometimes magic is the only way." The screams of the boy and girl grew in both volume and pain until they seemed to combine. Buffy glanced down to see Willow in the circle now where the children had been. She reached out a hand, surprised to find the force field gone. The blonde smiled at her, almost secretive, as she stepped forward and the world went black.

With a start, Buffy Summers awoke.

***

"Willow! Willow!" Groaning, Dawn Summers woke up to the sound of her sister's voice across the hall. Stumbling out of bed she walked over to the door.

"Buffy? Is something wrong?"

"She won't wake up."

"It's not seven yet."

"What?"

"She never wakes up before seven- nothing short of an earthquake disturbs her- she's been like that for the past six weeks- you know that."

"Nothing?"

"You've got five minutes to go yet. Maybe you wouldn't know that, seeing as you're never up before half seven." Buffy stuck her tongue out and then sank down onto the chair beside Willow's bed with a sigh. She looked over, focussed on the form of the girl in front of her.

"What did she do to deserve this Dawnie?"

"Are you alright?"

"S- Something's happening. Something... bigger. I-I don't know what." Kneeling down in front of her sister, Dawn tried to catch the slayer's attention.

"Buffy?"

"I remember now- she told me... told me that I though I knew... she was the voice of the first slayer."

"Buffy, I don't understand."

"I told her that. I can't remember properly. I need Willow." As if on cue, the lump in the centre of the bed began to move and the redhead opened misty eyes to look at the sisters.

"Dawnie? Buffy? What are you..?"

"I think she's flipped." Ignoring her younger sister, Buffy handed an open book to Willow.

"There's something in my head. I think this has something to do with it." Dawn watched as the older girl frowned, then looked at the slayer, distressed.

"You think-"

"I don't know."

"No."

"What's going on guys?" Willow pushed the book across the bed and Dawn read the opening paragraph. "You think Willow's baby's a demon?"

"I-I don't know."

"A... saugnapf?"

"I said I don't know- I think something's happened to me- I've been having these... visions."

"Visions?"

"Kind of like my dreams- warning me, giving me advice. I've been having them for the past few days. But last night was different. There was this girl that... anyway, I think maybe I've been lied to."

"My baby is not a demon Buffy- and I'm aware I'd probably say that even if he was, but he's not."

"Do a truth spell."

"What?"

"Find out what's happening in my head. Please." Buffy looked up, pleadingly at her best friend.

"Okay. Come here." Willow reached over the bed and placed a hand on either side of Buffy's head. "Veritae." The images were snippets of the past, flashes and single phrases.

/\/\/\

"I love you Buffy."

"Ow! You're not supposed to poke me!"

"I'm burying the evidence Daddy."

"It's called family planning Dawnie."

"Drink milk, it takes the burn away."

"She can come out."

"You should pick him up."

/\/\/\

Abruptly the flashes ended and the witch fell back across the bed.

"Whoa, that's one big block you've got in your head."

"I knew she was a blockhead!" Dawn's smug smile of satisfaction failed to impress her sister, who gave her a withering look, although Willow sent the briefest smile her way.

"What type of block?"

"I don't know- what I do know though is that we have to find that demon you fought- the one that poked you."

"That poked me?"

"A couple of days ago."

"I remember- looked like a corpse."

"Yeah, that one."

"Because that's going to be easy." Buffy's head shot up and she met Riley's eyes.

"What?"

"I'm just saying," the man continued, "you'd never seen him before, are you sure you could i.d. him again. No one knows the location or habits of the HST and as for the reliability of the source..." he motioned over to Willow, "well, I have to say that we'd-"

"Shut up!"

"Buffy?"

"Let's get her to bed and do some research on this demon."

***

Name: Elizabeth Emma Giles, formerly Winslow.
DoB: 5/12/63
Status: Senior
Notes: Daughter of Earl Robert Sebastian Winslow and Countess Mary Taylor, Mrs Giles' bloodline is unique. Within the past three generations she has had all the required components and Mary Taylor was the daughter of watcher turned slayer Anhai Choudri and at one time selected for ultimate breeding herself. Eliza however, in her union with Rupert Giles has proven to be the suitable candidate.
Recent invocation of has ensured her safety at least temporarily and-

"I've got it." Oz was pulled out of his reading by an exclamation from behind him.

"Got what?"

"The solution to... what's that?" Wesley squinted at the computer screen over Oz's shoulder and began to read as the younger man explained.

"I found the file on Eliza."

"She's invulnerable?"

"She is?"

"For 100 days from the invocation- it's similar to the dedication the Mayor used."

"Huh." The werewolf expressed his surprise in the only way he knew how. "So what you got?"

"Here, this shows the ritual of..."

***

"Willow, it's for you." Dawn made a face and held the phone out to the older girl.

"Here, keep stirring this." Carefully Willow pushed the small Pyrex bowl toward Dawn and handed her the wooden spoon as she took the phone. "Hello?"

"You sound busy."

"Anya! How are you? No more than usual."

"I'm alive and..."

"And?"

"Nothing. I'm coming back in a couple of days so- What is it you're doing?"

"We're keeping Buffy from insanity."

"Isn't is a bit late for that?"

"Anya!"

"Sorry. Do continue."

"She was attacked by a Ze-Beremit demon."

"Ze-Beremit? Do you mean Zz-Brmt?"

"I am incapable of pronouncing words with that few vowels, but yes."

"So she's going crazy, seeing people who aren't there?"

"Yeah."

"What's it trying to make her do?"

"Make her do?"

"Zz-Brmts are tools- ways to achieve an objective. Its poison is used to manipulate its victim into doing the will of its master- or just the person who's paid it."

"She thinks I have a demon inside me."

"Holy-! Willow, she'll kill it- you too probably."

"It's okay, we managed to find the antidote, we're making it now in fact, and Xander's watching over her, he'll let us know if anything-"

"You think he'll stand a chance if those idiot people in her head bring her 'round? She's the slayer, he's- an idiot."

"Anya, we'll be fine."

"And now you've uttered the fateful words! I thought you were brought up on the hellmouth."

"Calm down- the first sign of anything, I'll call you, okay?"

"Well, I suppose so. Look, I have to go. I'll see you soon right?"

"Okay. Bye." Only after she'd hung up, did Willow realise she had no idea where Anya was or how to reach her.

***

"Buffy, what' s happening?"

"Close your eyes." Unquestioningly, Angel did as Buffy asked, eagerly accepting the kiss she placed on his lips. As the sword slid into his stomach though, his eyes shot open, shock racing through them, the mouth of Acathla widening behind him.

Buffy's thoughts came to an abrupt halt as Willow walked into the room.

"Dawn and I made antidote goodness. Drink that all down and there'll be no more people running around your head- no more than usual anyway." Buffy just looked at her and the cup. "Insert laugh here?"

"Sorry Will- just in a funny mood- or not... not funny 'ha ha,' but-" she trailed off.

"Hey, that's cool. I'll just... be downstairs." Willow placed the cup next to the bed and smiled at her friend before leaving the room.

Buffy looked over at Angel, stood by the window, picked up the antidote and poured it into the bin, nodding at the vampire in silent thanks for making her see.

She knew now what she had to do. She'd done it before and now she was going to have to put duty before her heart once again.

Sally could never see the light of day.

***

Dawn tried desperately to scream as she was dragged into the basement by her sister, seeing Xander and Willow already tied up at the slayer's mercy. Buffy's hand over her mouth though was so tight it made air difficult to obtain, let alone allowing her to cry out.

The hand moved momentarily as Buffy forced her arms behind her back and tied them behind one of the beams leading from the ceiling and Dawn took the opportunity to try and plead with her sister.

"Buffy please, think about this. What are you doing? There are crazy people talking tmmm." The rest was lost beneath the cloth that the slayer put around her head however, and Dawn took a good look around the room for the first time.

Xander was strapped to a post opposite her, eyes as frantic as she felt her own must be. A vampire was chained to a chair by the window, and to Dawn's left was an unconscious Willow; Buffy had removed her shirt, leaving her bra-clad, pregnant front exposed to the world and- more to the point- the small dagger the blonde had retrieved from the bottom stair.

"The greater good." She mumbled to herself as she walked slowly over to the vampire and Xander and Dawn looked at each other, panicked.

"Mm-my." Dawn tried to scream her sister's name, hoping to break her from whatever trance she was under, draw her attention from the phantoms in her head. The slayer looked up.

"I'm sorry- but it's my duty, I have to do it. I have to kill Sally. I don't want to kill Willow, but if I do- it's for the greater good." Suddenly determined in her actions, Buffy strode over to the vampire, cutting him loose. "Remember- stay away from her; she's mine."

"Willow?" The enquiring cry came from upstairs and, as one, Xander and Dawn began to shout through their gags. As the vampire reached her, the youngest Summers saw Xander break free from his ties with a jerk and Anya began down the basement stairs.

The vampire fell backwards as Xander jumped on its back and Dawn began struggling with her own ropes.

Running up to Buffy, Anya tapped the slayer on the shoulder and then punched her, turning her head to a seemingly impossible angle and knocking her backwards. Her grip on the knife never easing though, Buffy vaulted back to her feet before sending Anya flying into the stairs, below which she fell, seemingly motionless.

Dawn screamed as the first blood appeared on Willow's stomach; Buffy choosing not to stab, but instead to slice with the blade.

Grabbing a paintbrush from beside the shelves, Xander levered the handle upwards into the vampire's chest, causing him to disintegrate into a shower of dust and giving Xander an almost irrepressible urge to sneeze. He sat up, first seeing Anya's slumped form on the floor, a patch of red marring her newly blonde hair. Dawn had yet to let up her wordless screaming at Buffy, who was knelt motionless in front of Willow. He stood and walked slowly over to her, dimly aware of Dawn quieting, and saw her eyes fixed on the line of red across Willow's stomach.

"Buffy?" The knife clattered to the floor and she turned her eyes up to him.

"Get me that antidote Xander."

***

"I don't know Wes."

"Oz! You cannot begin to understand the forces you are dealing with, or guess at their motives. That file you pulled of Ms Winslow's only proves it."

"Ms Winslow?"

"I knew her long ago- and are you going to call her by what should be Willow's name?"

"Well-"

"They've made her invulnerable for the next 100 days- why? It may be nothing to do with any of this, but do you want to risk it? This is our only real chance."

"Count me in."

***

"Willow, I want to-"

"Not now Buffy."

"I didn't-"

"I know, you were coerced, you-"

"No, I shouldn't have succumb."

"No you shouldn't- I thought you were stronger than that."

"I'm sorry."

"Just- stay away from me for a few days."

"But-"

"Please." Eventually Buffy nodded and stepped away from the front door, taking the cold glare for Anya as she helped Willow pick up her bag and move down the garden to her car. The slayer watched as the pair left Revello Drive and turned to face the hard looks from Xander and her sister. Without saying a word, she pushed past them and ran up the stairs to her bedroom, wanting to be alone to face the stone that had settled in her stomach telling her that just maybe, she had wanted the baby to be a demon.

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